New Zealand will introduce a new work visa allowing eligible international graduates to work in the country for up to six months after completing their studies, with applications opening on November 16, 2026.The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is designed for graduates who have completed eligible qualifications in New Zealand but do not qualify for the country’s existing Post-Study Work Visa. Immigration New Zealand said the new route will give graduates time to find employment and potentially move to a longer-term work visa.The new visa will provide open work rights, meaning eligible holders can work for any employer in New Zealand. They do not need to have a job offer before applying.However, the visa is not available to every international student.
Who is eligible?
- Applicants must have completed a New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 5, 6 or 7 qualification in New Zealand.
- The qualification must have been studied full-time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand and must not already make the graduate eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa. English-language, foundation and bridging qualifications are excluded.
- Applicants must also have at least NZ$5,000 available to support themselves during their stay and meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.
- There is also a strict application deadline. Graduates must apply within three months of the expiry of their
New Zealand student visa . - The visa can be granted only once. It cannot be extended or renewed.
What happens after six months?
- The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is intended as a bridge rather than a long-term post-study work route.
- During the six-month period, graduates can look for employment and, if eligible, move to another work visa such as New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa.
- The new visa does not allow holders to own or operate a business. Work must be undertaken under an employment agreement or contract for services.
New opportunity for graduates with bachelor’s degrees
At the same time, New Zealand is expanding eligibility for its existing Post-Study Work Visa, a potentially much longer route.From November 16, graduates who complete an eligible Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand can qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa if they also hold a bachelor’s degree.Importantly for international students, the bachelor’s degree can be completed in New Zealand or overseas.This means, for example, that an Indian student who already has a bachelor’s degree from India and completes an eligible Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand could qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa, provided all other requirements are met.The Graduate Diploma must be studied full-time in New Zealand for its entire duration. Cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning does not count towards the study requirement for this route.
Post-study work visa can last up to 3 years
The existing Post-Study Work Visa remains the more extensive option for graduates who qualify.Depending on the qualification, it can allow graduates to stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years.Under the updated rules, eligible Level 8 postgraduate diploma graduates can receive up to one year of post-study work rights, while eligible master’s graduates can receive up to three years, provided they meet the required full-time study conditions.The government said the changes are intended to strengthen New Zealand’s international education sector while better aligning graduate pathways with the country’s skills needs. For students planning to study in New Zealand, the choice of qualification will therefore be important: the new six-month visa is aimed at graduates who do not qualify for the longer Post-Study Work Visa, while certain higher-level qualifications can lead to substantially longer work rights.